Thanks to Past-President, A/Prof. Cris dos Remedios
---------------------------------------------------
This is my first newsletter as incoming President and I am
delighted to find the Society in such good shape, thanks
in large part to the tremendously successful tenure of our
Past-President, A/Prof. Cris dos Remedios. Cris has done a
tremendous job of invigorating the Society and has overseen
some exciting new developments, such as closer links with the
US and Japanese Biophysical Societies, and the introduction
of vacation scholarships in biophysics funded jointly by the
ARC and participating Universities.

I would like to personally thank Cris for all his hard work
for the Society over the past few years and for holding the
fort while I was on sabbatical in the United States last year.
I would also like to congratulate Brett Hambly for doing a
marvellous job of collating membership information which has
life much easier for all of the Executive Committee.
 

Thanks to Dr Pierre Moens
-------------------------
Those of you who have visited the ASB web site over the past
six months will have noticed that the web pages have been
completely revamped by Dr Pierre Moens of the Muscle Research
Unit, Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank Pierre for doing such
a great job with the web site. As well as looking better the
pages are much easier to navigate (check them out at
http://www.anatomy.su.oz.au/ASB/). However, we are always
looking for ways to improve the web site, so if you have any
suggestions please send them to me (glenn@biochem.usyd.edu.au)
or Pierre (pierre@anatomy.usyd.edu.au).
 

Congratulations to A/Prof. Frances Separovic
--------------------------------------------
A/Prof. Frances Separovic of the University of Melbourne, a
long-standing member of the Society, has been appointed to
the International Biophysics Committee of the US Biophysical
Society. Frances is eager to hear from members that have ideas
that they might like presented to this committee or information
that they would like included in the US Biophysical Society News-
letter. Her email address is Frances_Separovic@muwayf.unimelb.edu.au.
 

IUPAB Council Meeting, Auckland, April 15-17
--------------------------------------------
The following report was prepared by A/Prof. Cris dos Remedios, our
representative on the IUPAB Council:

The business of the Council meeting was principally to select the
speakers for the IUPAB Congress in New Delhi (September 19-24, 1999).

ASB students will be pleased to hear that the Council significantly
increased the funding of student scholarships to attend this congress
(The budget is about US$60,000).

So, if you are a research student and want to go to New Delhi and
present a paper, successful applicants will have their registrations
fees waived (US$200) and they will be eligible for a considerable
contribution to the airfare (IUPAB will probably cover 80-90% of the
economy apex fare).

Details of the scientific program will continue to be updated at the
congress website (http://www.tifr.in:80/~iupab99/). This site can be
used to pre-register for the meeting.
 

ASB98
-----
Tom Wydrzynski has put together a talented Organising Committee for
the 1998 Annual Meeting of the Society which will be held from 4th
to 6th December, 1998 at the Australian National University. Details
of the meeting will be regulated updated on the ASB web pages (see
http://www.anatomy.su.oz.au/ASB/ForthMeeting.html).
 

Forthcoming meetings
--------------------
Following is a summary of forthcoming scientific meetings that
might be of interest to ASB members. If you know of any other
meetings that should be included in our next newsletter please
contact me at glenn@biochem.usyd.edu.au.

• The 4th Australian Molecular Modelling Workshop (MM98) will be
held at Macquarie University (Sydney) from 19 to 22 July, 1998.
For more details visit http://www.chem.mq.edu/MM98/ or contact
Dr Shoba Ranganathan (shoba@angis.org.au; TEL: 02 9351 3921).

• The joint meeting of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and the Australian and New Zealand
Societies of Plant Phsyiologists will held at the Adelaide Convention
Centre from 28 September to 1st October, 1998. For more information,
contact either the Conference Chairman, Prof. John Wallace (jwallace@
biochem.adelaide.edu.au), or the Conference Office (asbmb@camtech.net.au).

• The 8th Congress of the Federation of Asian & Oceanian Biochemists
and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) will be held from 22nd to 26th
November, 1998 at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia. To obtain
an information  brochure send an email to either sheila@prisk.cc.ukm.my
or hasidah@prisk.cc.ukm.my. For details of the scientific program send
an email to tonsha@pksun5.medic.ukm.my.

• The XVIIIth International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in
Biological Systems will be held from 23rd to 28th August, 1998 at the
Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. For further
information visit http://icmrbs98.chem.metro-u.ac.jp. Prof. Ray
Norton, Chair of ASB97, is a keynote speaker at this conference.

• The Third Australian Peptide Conference will be held from 4th to
9th October, 1998 at Luguna Quays Resort on the Whitsunday coast of
Queensland. For more information visit http://www.hfi.unimelb.edu.au/
peptideoz.html or contact Dr Ian Smith (Ian.Smith@baker.edu.au).

• The Biological Informatics Conference will be held at the Australian
Academy of Science from 6th to 8th July, 1998. For more information
visit http://www.science.org.au/bioinfo.htm or send an email to
conf@acts.ccmail.compuserve.com.

• The 5th Conference of the International Union of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology (IUBMB) will be held from 8th to 22nd October, 1998
at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel. For further
information visit http://bioinformatics.weizmann.ac.il/conf/IUBMB/
or email iubmb@kenes.com.
 

ARC Committees and panels
-------------------------
Prof. Vicki Sara, Chair of the ARC, has invited FASTS to make
nominations for Committees and Panels of the ARC for 1999,
particularly for the Committees for National and International
Cooperation and University-Industry Research Collaboration.
Details of the vacancies are outlined on the FASTS web page
(see http:/www.usyd.edu.au/su/FASTS/1998/ARCnom.html). Please
contact the FASTS office if you would like to make a nomination.
 

Fellowships Administered by the Australian Academy of Science
-------------------------------------------------------------
Our Secretary, Dr Cyril Curtain (CCURTAIN@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au) has
provided the following information about fellowships and exchange
programs being administered by the Australian Academy of Science.
Application forms and information regarding the terms of awards for
each program, eligibility requirements, and a listing of applicable
institutes are available on the internet at:
http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/contscix.htm.

AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Australian Academy of Science administers exchange programs
which support collaborative research between professional
Australian scientists and technologists and their colleagues in
the UK, France, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan. The
programs provide funds for living and travelling costs.

Proposals to do research in any field of natural science, basic
and applied, including mathematics and engineering science will
be considered. Proposals will be assessed on their scientific
and/or technological merit. Most of the programs support short-term
visits of up to six weeks, but there are provisions for longer-term
visits to Korea (up to three months) and Japan (up to one year).
Support will not be given when the primary purpose of a visit is to
attend a conference. Applicants must submit letters of invitation
from host scientists with their proposals. Australian citizens and
permanent residents who hold PhD degrees or the equivalent may apply.

Information sheets and application forms are available for visits
to China and Japan during the 1999-2000 fiscal year and or visits
to the other countries during the 1999 calendar year. Closing dates
for the different country programs vary between June and 1 November
1998. See: http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/contscix.htm.
 

JGRAFS PROGRAM 1999-2000

Japanese Government Research Awards for Foreign Specialists (JGRAFS)
provide support for Australian citizens and permanent residents to
do research in Japanese government national laboratories for periods
of up to six months. Applicants must be government personnel or of
similar status, such as employees of Commonwealth or State Departments,
CSIRO, ANSTO, AIMS or universities at the time of application
and during the period of residence in Japan. The closing date for
applications is 1 November 1998.

AIST-FRIP PROGRAM

The Foreign Researcher Invitation Program (FRIP) supports visits
by foreign researchers to do research in one of the sixteen institutes
of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for periods
of six to twelve months. Applicants must be non-Japanese and be a
permanent staff or faculty member of an overseas university or
research institute at the time of application and during the period
of residence in Japan. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
 

STA POSTDOCTORAL AND SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS, 1999-2000

The Science and Technology Agency (STA) of Japan supports postdoctoral
fellowships for young Australians to do research in national laboratories
and public research corporations (excluding universities and
university-affiliated institutes) in Japan for periods of six months to
two years. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Fellowships must commence between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000. The
closing date for applications is 1 September 1998.

STA also supports short-term fellowships world-wide for scientists to
do research in national laboratories and public research corporations
excluding universities and university-affiliated institutes) in Japan
for periods of 1-3 months. Applicants must be Australian citizens or
permanent residents. Closing date for applications is 1 September, 1998.
 

APEC POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 1999-2000
(Expressions of interest only)

The Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), in association
with the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of
Technological Sciences and Engineering are calling for expressions of
interest in Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science and Engineering
in Korea. Proposals from suitably qualified scientists and technologists
in any field of basic and applied science, including mathematics and
engineering science, will be considered. The awards are for periods
of six to twelve months for young Australian scientists to do
research in universities and government-supported research institutions
in Korea. Fellowships must commence between 1 February - 30 May 1999.
 

AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE POSTDOCTORAL AND SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIPS
IN JAPAN AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN KOREA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Australian Academy of Science administers two postdoctoral
fellowship programs and one short-term fellowship program to Japan,
and a postdoctoral fellowship program to Korea. Australians with
doctorate degrees in science or technology who wish to do research
in Japan or Korea are invited to apply to participate in the following
programs.
 

JSPS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, 1999-2000

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) supports
postdoctoral fellowships for young Australians to do research in
Japanese universities, National Inter-University Research Institutes
and other research institutions associated with JSPS for periods of
one to two years. Applicants must be Australian citizens.
Fellowships must commence between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000.
The closing date for applications is 1 September 1998.
 

1999 FRENCH GOVERMMENT SCIENTIFIC FELLOWSHIPS
 
In 1999, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs will offer a
limited number of scientific fellowships, managed by the Embassy
of France in Canberra, to young qualified scientists involved in
French-Australian research projects. The fellowships are tenable
for 3-6 months duration and to be taken up between Feb and Dec 1999.

The purpose of the French Government Scientific Fellowships is
to enable successful applicants to visit a French laboratory or
institution to pursue their current collaborative research, to
complete their training or to implement a well-defined project
that can be beneficial to Australia and France.

Interested candidates, with at least two years experience in
scientific research and involved in any fields of natural,
basic, applied science, engineering or in a field associated
with cultural aspects of science, are welcome to apply.
Proposals will be assessed on their scientific merit and on
the applicant's qualifications and achievement.

Successful applicants will be required to provide a report to the
Embassy of France in Canberra on the research undertaken and on
ny experience gained during the period of the fellowship.

Applicants should:
1. be able to communicate in French or be prepared to undertake
   refresher courses prior to departure
2. be between 25 and 40 years old at 1 January 1998
3. be a permanent resident of Australia
4. possess tertiary academic qualifications
5. provide: - a statement outlining why the research/training should
   be carried in France and how it would benefit France and Australia
       - a letter of acceptance from the host laboratory or institution
       - a detailed program of the proposed collaboration

Each fellowship provides a monthly allowance ranging from FF 5000 to
FF 5800 (roughly A$1,250 to A$1,500) and basic medical cover. Note
that the fellowship does not provide costs of travel and accommodation
and no benefits can be provided for dependants. Candidates should avoid
planning their visit during the French holiday seasons (July and August).

The closing date for receipt of applications is FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1998.
Application forms and further information should be obtained from:

Ambassade de France - Service culturel et scientifique
French Government Scientific Fellowships
Attention: Janine Mordek, Secretary
6, Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 62 16 01 39; Fax: (02) 62 16 01 56; E-mail: cst@france.net.au
 

The Nova internet site
----------------------
The Australian Academy of Science have developed a web site
(http://www.science.org.au/nova/) that is designed to provide
accurate information on scientific, health, and environmental
issues such as life on Mars, rabbit calicivirus, and cloning.
The site was awarded the Best Science Site in the 1997 Internet
Awards. Definitely worth paying a visit.

ASTEC Occasional Paper
----------------------
ASTEC (Australian Science, Technology, and Engineering Council)
have released Occasional Paper #30 entitled “An international
comparison of high level science, engineering, and technology.
Advisory arrangements”. For enquiries about this paper and other
ASTEC publications contact the Secretariat at astec@astec.gov.au
or visit their web pages at http://www.astec.gov.au.
 

SCIENCE NOW!
------------
SCIENCE NOW!, the first National Science Forum will be held at the
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, on 7-10 May 1998, co-located with the
Great Australian Science Show.

The aim of the Forum is to showcase the best and latest Australian
science and technology, especially involving younger scientists.
The major sponsor, the Victorian Government has been joined by the
Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Tourism in supporting
the 1998 and 1999 forums.

SCIENCE NOW! will have four main elements:

• Breaking new ground:
Fresh Australian science - scientists starting to make their mark in
the world of science will be encouraged to present their work to the
media and the public. A scientific committee will select the topics
Key criteria will include that: (i) the work has not received
significant media attention; (ii) the scientist can present the work
in a way that makes it interesting/relevant to the media.

• Science in society - point and counterpoint
Debates and forums involving leading researchers and the general
public both in the auditorium and via the media.

• Workshops
Professional development opportunities for business, journalists,
scientists & science communicators.

• Youth Program
Aimed at secondary students with science activities and presentations
on subject choices, choosing a university, scholarships and developing
a career in science.

Niall Byrne is Program Coordinator for SCIENCE NOW! and can be contacted
on 03 5253 1391, mob. 0417 131 977 or by email: niall@aahl.dah.csiro.au
 

West and Wills Reviews
----------------------
The West Review of higher education has been completed and is available
at http://www.deetya.gov.au/divisions/hed/hereview/default.htm. Hard
copies should be available for free from Government bookshops. FASTS
has completed a submission to the Wills Review of Health & Medical
Research (see http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/fasts/1998/WillsReview.html).
Please send comments to Prof. David Tracey (d.tracey@unsw.edu.au).
 

FASTS
-----
FASTS (the Federation of Australian Scientific & technological
Societies) continues to be very active in representing our
interests. They have a tremendously informative website at
http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/fasts/ which is well worth visiting.
Below I summarise the major points from their Jan/Feb newsletters:

Jan 1998 FASTS newsletter
-------------------------
1. "SEND MORE MONEY, SEND IT TO ME, AND SEND IT NOW."

It was a no-contest when the FASTS Board came to choose the first
of the Top Ten issues for 1998. The difficulties being experienced
by science departments in universities was the unanimous choice.
The problems are well-documented: a rise in staff workload, funding
cuts as universities scramble to make savings, increasing pressures
on infrastructure and so on.

Those looking for solutions in the West Report have been disappointed.
It has been roundly criticised for its lack of focus and clarity. But
at least one member of the West Review has suggested scientists
should look beyond the usual "send more money, send it to me, and
send it now" response. West is on the table, West is where the
Government stands at the moment. If anyone wants to change Government
thinking about universities they should work at improving West.

The "University Science: Crisis or Crossroads?" forum FASTS is
organising at the National Press Club in Canberra on February 25
should help shift thinking in this area. It is a solutions-oriented
day. It will examine the difficulties science is facing in the
universities, but it will also invite all speakers to nominate
what they see as ways of solving the problems.

It's important to get a wide perspective, and so industry groups
such as the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the
Minerals Council of Australia have nominated speakers. We need
to forge a broad alliance to show the Government that investment
in science pays off for the country, in terms of generating wealth
and solving environmental problems.

2. WIDE SUPPORT FOR "CRISIS OR CROSSROADS?" FORUM
I am delighted that John Niland, new President of the Australian
Vice-Chancellors' Committee, has accepted our invitation to be the
keynote speaker at the NPC. The AVCC are working in conjunction with
FASTS to present the Forum, along with the Council of Deans of Science.

There has been widespread support for the Forum, and speakers and chairs
include:
* John Niland, Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
* John Rice, Council of Deans of Science
* Julie Wells, National Tertiary Education Union
* Ashley Goldsworthy, Business/Higher Education Round Table
* John White, Australian Academy of Science
* Richard Carter, President Aus IMM; Minerals Council of Australia
* John Simmonds, IE Aust; Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
* Therese Charles, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
* John Stocker, Chief Scientist
* Peter Cullen, President FASTS
* Vicki Sara, Chair of ARC

3. NEW POLICY DOCUMENT LAUNCH
The FASTS' Policy Document for 1998 will be launched at the "Crisis or
Crossroads?" forum on February 25, and public copies will be available
then. This third edition has been completely revamped by the Policy
Committee headed by Ken Baldwin. It contains 105 policies and actions,
31 of which are new.

Some of the changes were dictated by changing circumstances, some
because our policies have been adopted by Government. Other changes
reflect the different priorities of the Coalition Government.

4. HECS FEES AND SCIENCE ENROLMENTS
I have asked Minister Moore to take up the issue of the possible
impact higher HECS fees are having on undergraduate science
enrolments with his colleague the Minister for Education.

Those who attended the FASTS' Council in November 1996 will
remember former Science Minister McGauran's promise to take up
this issue with the then Minister for Education should the numbers
turn bad. Minister Moore is yet to reply, but this will be an
nteresting test of the transferability of Ministerial promises!

5. PM'S SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION COUNCIL
I have been encouraged by the refreshing personal commitment the
Prime Minister has shown to the functioning of his Science,
Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC).

Both the activities and membership of Council Members have been
expanded, and I have been invited to join the working party on
priority issues in science and technology. This group will work
to identify those key issues which should be brought to the
attention of the full Council.

I have  written to the Prime Minister, inviting him to take a
personal lead in selling the benefits of science to the Australian
community. The issues are so important that it needs leadership
from the top to resolve them. The letter read in part:

"I believe that Australians need clear signals from the highest
levels if the culture and attitudes of scientists and technologists,
of their counterparts in industry and of Australians in general
are to change to ensure that we become a high-technology high-wage
economy, and not one based on low-wages and low skill levels."

6. SCIENCE NOW!
Earlier this month I met with the Presidents of the two Science
Academies, the Australian Science Communicators and ANZAAS,
to discuss the formation of a Board to run a new-style forum
to showcase Australia's newest and best science and technology.

The first forum SCIENCE NOW! will be held at the Melbourne
Exhibition Centre, on 7-10 May 1998 in National Science Week in
Melbourne, with financial support from the Victorian and Federal
Governments. Member Societies are invited to nominate presenters.

The most important element of SCIENCE NOW! will be the fresh
science: scientists starting to make their mark in the world of
science will be encouraged to present their work to the media
and the public. Nomination criteria will be circulated in mid-Feb.

Other streams will include public debates and forums on cloning
and other topical issues, professional development workshops and
a Youth Program.

7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INQUIRY
FASTS was invited to make a submission to the H. of R. Committee
examining the effects on R&D of public policy reform in the past
decade.

This was a challenging task - so challenging that DIST could not
even provide a comprehensive list of the changes to policy over
this period! Our full submission is on the FASTS' web site, but
here is a brief extract:

"The last decade has seen an acceleration of an international
trend by Governments to curtail their operations, and to move
away from areas which in the past have been regarded as their
responsibility ... FASTS argues that moves by Government to
corporatisation, privatisation and outsourcing are in some cases
oves away from areas which should be the responsibility of
Government. These cases threaten public-good research and
long-term planning which is the basis of successful science."

8. NEUROSCIENCE SOCIETY LECTURE
Graham Johnston presented the Neuroscience Society's annual
FASTS' Lecture to a public meeting at the ANS conference last
week, "A chemist looks at the brain."  His talk drew a generous
response from the audience.

Graham noted that ANS members Max Bennett, Steve Redman and
an McCloskey played key roles in the establishment of FASTS
in 1985, while Ian Hendry, David Curtis, Elspeth McLachlan
and David Tracey represented medical sciences on the FASTS
Board with great distinction. He learnt from Ian Hendry that
1995 Nobel Laureate in Medicine and Physiology, Peter Doherty
preceded Ian on the FASTS' Board.

I would like to congratulate the ANS for their efforts to raise
public awareness in science, and encourage other Member Societies
to offer a FASTS' public lecture at their scientific meetings.

[I think this is a great idea and perhaps Tom could think about
this for ASB98. Please send an email to glenn@biochem.usyd.edu.au
if you would like ASB to pursue this idea with FASTS -- GFK].

9. NEW SCIENCE JOURNAL
Australasian Science has merged with the journal Search, and
from February 1998 will be published monthly as Australasian
Science (incorporating Search), and invites articles. More
details from Guy Nolch.

10. MEDIA HEADLINES
FASTS has sparked a number of media headlines over the last month:
"Warning: science level is falling fast" (The Australian)
"PM must act on science crisis, says peak group" (Financial Review)
"Crisis call over tertiary science" (Canberra Times)
"Science body backs joint approach to cuts" (The Australian)
"Science loses its glamour as fees almost double" (The SMH)
"Top student finds another route to uni" (Canberra Times)
"Academics fear HECS behind low applications" (The Australian)
"HECS fees 'deter a generation from uni'" (Canberra Times)
"Funding cuts spark science brain drain" (The Australian)
"Scientists now support plan for new forum" (SMH)
"Fees fallout" (The Australian)
"Enrolment drop is not a concern" (The Australian)

Undoubtedly there are plenty of issues and plenty of concerns
for FASTS over 1998. I hope to meet many of you at the Forum
on February 25, to continue the work of addressing these issues.
 

Feb 1998 FASTS newsletter
-------------------------

1. "UNIVERSITY SCIENCE: CRISIS OR CROSSROADS?"
The one-day Forum at the National Press Club has left FASTS
with an interesting question - where to now?

We have put together a potentially powerful coalition with
concerns over science in the universities. Most Australians
would be aware that not all is well in University science, which
has been something of a running sore in the media.

The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee, the Council of Deans
of Science and the National Tertiary Union are groups that one
would expect to stand up for university science.

It's good to see other groups joining in to express their
concerns - the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Business/Higher
Education Round Table (BHERT).

FASTS is keenly aware of the need to build an alliance which
spreads beyond the groups and individuals with a direct
interest in the outcomes. This is a key issue, and one which
was emphasised at the closing session of the Forum by both
Chief Scientist John Stocker and Ashley Goldsworthy of BHERT.
This "Science Alliance" is necessary if S&T is to be serious
election issues in Australia.

If commerce, mining and farming interests stand up in public
and say a properly-funded S&T section is essential for national
well-being, then it becomes harder for the will and the
rhetoric of political parties to evaporate especially
under the increased pressure of an election.

The next Executive meeting of March 17 will be addressing the
issue of how best to translate the recommendations and ideas of
the Forum into hard-edged political and policy actions.

2. LAUNCH OF POLICY DOCUMENT 1998
The third edition of the FASTS' Policy Document was formally
launched at the Forum, and has been sent to key figures in
Parliament and the bureaucracy.

In my informal speech at the National Press Club, I asked whether
Australia can achieve its vision for the future by priming the
science pump and letting the good times roll. The answer is No.
We are going to have to be much smarter about where and how we
invest our limited resources to produce the sort of high technology
companies that can set prices which command a premium for smart
ideas. The Policy Document points the way.

One thousand copies of the third edition were printed, and
300 advance copies distributed to our Member Societies prior
to the launch. It was another proof of Murphy's Law that the
handful that were incorrectly collated had to be the ones
taken along to the launch. Replacement copies are being
mailed out by an apologetic printer.

3. PM's SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION COUNCIL
PMSEIC members seeking to identify priority issues for Australia
held their first sub-committee meeting in February.

Two weeks ago I invited FASTS' Member Societies to contribute
their ideas on priorities for Australia. Their responses will
be of material assistance in shaping the considerations of
this sub-committee, and I thank Members for their thoughtful
contributions.

4. HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH STRATEGIC REVIEW
The Commonwealth Government has commissioned Peter Wills to
conduct a review on the future role of health and medical
research in Australia up to the year 2010.

Professor David Tracey, Board Member for Medical Sciences, will
help coordinate a submission from FASTS to this broad-ranging
and important review. Closing date for submissions is April 20.
An information pack about the Review is available from Maureen
Cruze on (02) 6289 7179, or from the internet at:
http://www.health.gov.au/notices/hmstratr.htm

5. NEW VICE-PRESIDENT
Congratulations to Professor Bob Carter on his election to
the position of FASTS' Vice-president. Bob is in the School of
Earth Sciences at James Cook University in Townsville. He
replaces Dr Geoff Hudson who retains his position as Board
Member representing Geological Sciences.

6. NEW MEMBERS
FASTS continues to attract new Member Societies, with the
latest being the Australian and New Zealand Society for Laboratory
Animal Science (ANZLAS). Publicity surrounding the November
Council meeting, the release of the Ten Top issues, the Forum and
the release of the FASTS' Policy Document have generated a
steady stream of inquiries.

FASTS can now be confident it has steered away from the rocky
shores of three or four years ago, prior to the release of its
first policy document, but we can not be complacent. We are
looking to increasing our impact on S&T policy making, and the
Executive is currently considering a draft business plan.

7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INQUIRY
In the last Circular I mentioned that FASTS had made a submission
to the H. of R. Committee examining the effects on R&D of public
policy reform in the past decade. We have now been invited to
appear before the Committee next month. The FASTS' delegation will
be led by Ken Baldwin, as Chair of the FASTS' Policy Committee.
Chris Easton and Joe Baker who coordinated the response from
FASTS toi this Inquiry will both be overseas during the hearings.

8. MEDIA
Coverage over the last month has brought some of the issues confronting
science sharply into focus. Headlines over this period have included:
"Fees fallout" (The Australian)
"Enrolment drop is not a concern" (The Australian)
"Science opts for hard sell" (SMH)
"Government opens the door to technology" (New Scientist)
"Desperate graduates desert sick and sorry science" (The Australian)
"Universities need to get up to business" (Canberra Times)
"University science: FASTS lobbies Government" (Lab News)
"Academic warns of Uni science disaster" (The Age)
"Tertiary science 'rescue' needed" (Canberra Times)
"Science loses chemistry for high school students" (Daily Telegraph)

9. Science NOW!
There has been steady progress on establishing a governing body
to run the new media-focussed science forum, and I have met with
the Presidents (or representatives) of the two science academies,
the Science Communicators and ANZAAS to set down broad guidelines.

We hope to have the structure in place shortly. In the meantime,
the first Forum in Melbourne in Science Week (May 7 to 10) is
proceeding apace. Member Societies were recently invited to submit
the names of people who presented the most interesting papers
at their last conference, so the papers could be given a public
airing. This invitation is attracting huge interest. For details,
contact Niall Byrne on 03 5253 1391, mob. 0417 131 977 or by
email: niall@aahl.dah.csiro.au

10. ANZAAS
It's good to see three women on the new-look ANZAAS Council, more
than ever before in its 110 year history. We wish ANZAAS and new
President Paul Adam well in their endeavours to find a new path.

---------------------------
Glenn King
22nd April, 1998
 
 

ADDENDUM TO NEWSLETTER #22

XVIIIth ICMRBS in Tokyo
-----------------------
In his capacity as a member of the International Advisory Board of the XVIII International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, to be held in Tokyo from 23 to 28 August, Prof. Ray Norton (Chair of ASB97) has been asked by Professor Kainosho, the Secretary of the Organising Committee, to remind younger scientists of the meeting and to indicate to them that the deadline for applications for travel support has been extended in the interests of encouraging younger participants to attend.

Professor Kainosho has indicated that students/early-career postdocs are likely to receive 60,000 yen for travel support as well as a waiver of their registration fees.
 
FASTS Response to Budget
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THE BUDGET OF LOST OPPORTUNITIES

The peak body for scientists and technologists in Australia said today (Wednesday) that it was disappointed in the Budget brought down last night. Professor Peter Cullen, President of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), said that once again Australia seemed to be missing opportunities.

"By dithering we are likely to continue to miss the boat in the biotechnology revolution in the same way as we missed the boat in information technology in the 80s and 90s.

"The Government seems bereft of ideas. Competitive success in the next century will be won by countries which follow the knowledge-based path, to generate real and enduring employment. This requires a strong science base and smart programs to link industry with science. This needs strong leadership from Government."

Professor Cullen said the Government had clawed back considerable funds from the university sector and by winding down the tax R&D incentive to industry. This was on the grounds that it wanted to target its investments more strategically.

"But we are still waiting. There is nothing in this Budget to stimulate innovation and new technology," he said.  He noted that the START scheme - an incentive for industry R&D - appeared to be failing, and urged the Government to develop new and better ways of stimulating the innovation process. He said that the foundations for innovation lie in higher education and basic research, and these areas continued to be eroded.

"The parlous state of the universities has not been addressed despite widespread concerns over the last year," he said. "The level of public funding appears to have decreased by over seven per cent as the cost burden is shifted to students and their parents."

Basic research funding through the ARC has collapsed, with a drop from $445 million to $383 million over two years.

"These cuts appear to be in the funding of research infrastructure and the funding of collaborative research. Such cuts are very short sighted," he said. "On the bright side, we welcome the Government's strong support for the CRC program and that they have restored the cuts they made last year to  the National Health and Medical Research Council."